Pulling tool



Sept. 18, 1956 R. A. RANsoM PULLING TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1955* Russe A. Raz/w07?? INVENTOR.

BY m Sept. 18, 1956 R. A. RANsoM PULpING TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, A1953 Russ e -f4. Rona om INVENToR.

BY C@ ATTORNEY- R. A. RANSOM PULLING TOOL Sept. 18, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 16, 1955 IN VEN TOR.

Russ e A. @ons om /1 TTOR/VE Y Filed Feb. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Russ e ///4. Rans om INVENTOR.

l A TTU/PNE Y United States Patent PULLING TOOL Russell A. Ransom, Houston, Tex.

Application February 16, 1953, Serial No. 337,153

3 Claims. (Cl. 166-98) This invention relates to a pulling toel, and more particularly to a tool for recovering pipe from wells and which is hydraulically operated.

In the recovering of pipe 'from wells, and especially in the recovery of oil 'well casing, lwhich cannot usually be Vremoved from the Vwell bore in one piece, it is customary to cut the casing into convenient lengths, which are removed one at a time, after each successive cut. Because of the close nt and adherence of the casing to the bore of the well, wherein the casing is also frequently cemented, the casing may stick in the bore making it difficult or impossible with the pulling equipment available to release a length of casing which has been cut. Under such circumstances it becomes necessary to cut 'the casing into shorter lengths, thus greatly increasing the time and labor expended in the recovery operation and substantially reducing the value of the recovered material.

The present invention has forits chief object the provision of a `pulling tool by which a greatly increased releasing force may be applied to the pipe or casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character referred to, which is constructed'to grippingly engage two lengths of pipe or casing which have been severed from each other, and which-may be'operated to exert a force tending to separate the lengths.

A further object of the invention is the provision lof a tool of the character referred to, which is constructed to exertV a pulling forceon one section of a pipe or casing, while at the same time exerting a push on an adjacent section thereof for the `purpose of moving thesections apart.

A further object of the -invention is to provide a pulling tool -for attachment to `an operating string of tubing, which may be operated by the pressure of iluid Aapplied through the string and which is constructedfor manipulation by movement of the string to place the tool 'in condition for engagement with the casing or to lbe released from the same. f

A still further'object of the invention is to :provide a pulling tool of the character referred to which is of simple design and rugged construction, capable of withstanding the hard conditions -of use to which such'requipment is customarily subjected.

The above and other .important objects `and advantages of the invention will best be understood from the -following detailed description of a preferred form of the same, when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein-"- Figure 1 is a vertical, central, cross-sectional, 'partly schematic view showing 'the construction of theinve'tion and the relative positions of the parts with to'o'l 'in condition for insertion in the well bore;

Figure 2 is a View similar to that of Figure "l, showing the relative positions of the .parts with vthe toolin 'engagement with the casing during a pulling operation fof the tool; l

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing 2 lthe relative positions of the parts during the releasing movement of the tool;

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are fragmentary, vertical, central, cross-sectional views, on a somewhat enlarged scale, showing the details of construction and arrangement of the parts 0f the tool, with the parts in the relative positions which they occupy when the tool is in a released condition ready for insertion in a well bore;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lline 5-5 of Figure 4A, looking in the direction indicated yby the arrows;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along -the line 6 6 of Figure 4A, looking `in the direction indicated .by the arrows; v

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 of Figure 4D, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8 8 of Figure 4D, looking in the direction indicated by theV arrows.

The invention, briefly described, comprises hydraulic pressure multiplying and delivering mechanism operable by the introduction of pressure fluid through an operating string, vand pressure responsive means arranged to receive pressure lluid from the pressure multiplying mechanism and operable thereby to engage two sections of a well casing to exert a force thereon tending to separate the sections.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein like reference numerals are employed to vdesignate the same parts throughout the several views, the pressure multiplying and delivering mechanism, in the present illustration, includes a pressure barrel itl, having one or more pressure chambers 12 and 'i4 therein, within which pistons 16 and t8, respectively, are moveably positioned. The pressure barrel is preferably made up of a number of cylindrical sections 20, 22, 24 and 26, having internally threaded end portions which are suitably connected together, as bythe externally threaded connecting elements 23, 3G and 32. The lower end of the -barrel may be internally threaded and is closed by the externally threaded upper, enlarged, end portion 34 of a stem 36, as indicated at 38, which stem extends downwardly beneath the barrel. At its upper end the barrel `is internally threaded to receive an externally threaded cap 40, having a central opening 42 therethrough.

Beneath the lpressure barrel l0 there is an operating cylinder 44, through which the stem 36 extends, and which may conveniently be made up of cylindrical sections 46 and 48, whose end portions are internally threaded and whose adjacent ends are connected together by an externally threaded connector member 50. The upper end of the section 46 is closed by the lower externally threaded end portion 52 of an upper slip expander 54, which isrof 4tubular shape and through which the stern 36 is slideably extended. The lowerend of the operating cylinder is closed by the externally threaded enlarged upper end portion 56 of a tubular sleeve 58 through which the stem 36 is slideably extended. Within the operating cylinder there are the fluid receiving chambers 60 and 62 above and beneath theconnector member 50, respectively, within which pistons 64 and 66, respectively are moveably positioned, which pistons are carried on the stem 36.

Surrounding the stem above and beneath the operating cylinder `44 there are the upper and lower slip 'cages 68 and 70, respectively. w

l The cages 68 and '70 are preferably of cylindrical shape rand have window openings 72 therein through which slips 74 are'ra'dially movable. lThe lslips .of the upper 'slip cage 68 are engageable at their inner ends by the slip expander 54, and the slips of the lower slip cage 3 70 are engageable by an actuator member 76, carried by the stem 36, to actuate the slips into gripping engagement with a surrounding well casing. The actuator member 76 is tubular and may be conveniently attached at its upper end to the lower end of the stem 36 by a tubular coupling member 78.

An inner pipe 80 extends axially through the stern 36 and is slideable longitudinally therein, and is attached at its upper end to a connector element 82 positioned in the upper section of the pressure barrel 10. This connector element 82 is also connected to the lower end of an operating string of tubing 84 and is movable longitudinally in the section 20. The section 20 is inwardly thickened at its upper end, as indicated at 86, and is provided with inwardly opening longitudinal grooves 88 through which exterior lugs 90 on the connector element 82 are slideable when the lugs are aligned with the grooves. The connector member 28, which is of annular shape is also provided with internal inwardly opening grooves 92, which are offset circumferentially relative to the grooves 88 of the section 20, and through which the lugs 90 may pass when aligned with the grooves 92. It will thus be seen that with the tool in the position shown in Figures l and 4A, the connector member 82 will engage the lower face of the cap 40, so that the entire tool is supported on the tubing string 84 and may be rotated with the string 84. It will also be apparent that the string may be moved downwardly relative to the tool to a position in which the connector element 82 rests upon the upper face of the annular connector member 28, and the string may thereafter be rotated to bring the lugs 90 into alignment with the grooves 92 of the connector member 28, whereupon the string may be further lowered relative to the tool until the connector element 82 rests upon the upper face of the connector member 30. The operation just described, by which the parts of the tool are moved to different relative positions, may be reversed moving the string upwardly relative to the tool to return the tool to its initial position.

Pistons 16 and 18 are connected by a tubular connecting rod 94 which extends through the connector member 32 and is slideable therethrough, this connecting rod having an internal diameter which is considerably greater than the external diameter of the inner pipe 80, so that a uid passageway, indicated at 96 is formed within the connecting rod about the inner pipe. The connector member 32 may be provided with internal annular grooves 116 and 118 for the reception of suitable seal forming means such as the O-rings 120 and 122 to form a uid tight seal between the connector member and the tubular connecting rod 92. The inner pipe 80 carries an externally enlarged abutment 95 beneath the piston 18, which is engageable with the piston 18 upon upward movement of the inner pipe to move the pistons 16 and 18 upwardly therewith. Piston 18 may be provided with an internal annular groove 124 in which suitable seal forming means such as the O-ring 126 is disposed to form a fluid tight seal between the piston 18 and the inner pipe 80. The inner pipe 80 may, however, move downwardly independently of the pistons. The inner pipe may conveniently be made up of tubular sections, which are connected together by the solid externally threaded connector plugs 98 and 100. A port 102 is provided in the connecting rod 94 which opens into the chamber 14 above the piston 18 and which communicates with the passageway 96, and the inner pipe 80 has ports 104 and 106 leading from the interior of the pipe, the port 104 being in communication with the chamber 12 above the piston 16, while the port 106 is positioned to be in communication with the chamber 14 above the piston 18 therein in the position of the parts seen in Figure l, and out of communication therewith in the positions illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Suitable sealing means, such as the O-rings 108 and 110, positioned in internal annular grooves 112 and 114,

respectively, in the connector member 30, to form a fluid tight seal between the member 30 and the inner pipe 80.

There is also a port 128 in the inner pipe 80 which leads from the interior thereof into the chamber 14, beneath the piston 18.

The piston 16 has suitable sealing means, such as the O-ring 130 thereon forming a seal between the piston and the interior of the barrel 10, and similar sealing means 132 and 134 are disposed on the piston 18 to form a seal between the piston 18 and the interior of the barrel 10.

Another port 136 is provided in the inner pipe which opens into the chamber 14 at some distance below the port 128.

Within the stem 36 there are the passageways 138 and 140 extending longitudinally thereof, the passageway 138 opening at its upper end into an elongated, annular, inwardly opening, internal recess 142 within the enlarged upper end portion 34 of the stem and surrounding the inner pipe 80. The passageway 138 is closed at its lower end by suitable means such as the screw plug 139. Above and beneath the recess 142, suitable packing elements, such as the O-rings 144 and 146, respectively, are disposed in internal annular grooves 148 and 150, respectively, to form tluid tight seals between the inner pipe 80 and the interior of the stem.

The passageway 140 of the stem opens at its upper end into an annular internal, elongated, inwardly opening cavity 152, which surrounds the inner pipe 80 beneath the recess 142, and beneath this cavity suitable sealing means such as an O-ring 154 is disposed in an annular internal groove 156 to form a uid tight seal between the stem and the inner pipe. The lower end of the passageway 140 opens into an annular cavity 158 in the stem surrounding the inner pipe 80, and above and beneath this cavity, suitable sealing means, such as the O-rings 160 and 162, respectively, are disposed about the inner pipe to form uidtight seals between the inner pipe and the stern. The inner pipe 80 has a port 164 leading from the interior of the pipe and which may be brought into and out of communication with the cavity 158 by longitudinal movement of the pipe relative to the stern.

The stem 36 is also provided with an elongated internal annular passageway 166 surrounding the inner pipe or tubular mandrel 80, as best seen in Figures 4C and 4D, into which a port 168 leading from the interior of the inner pipe opens, and there is also a port 170 in the stem which leads from the passageway 166 into the passageway 138.

The passageway 138 opens into the chambers 60 and 62 of the operating cylinder 44 through ports 172 and 174, respectively, above the respective pistons in the chambers, and the passageway 140 likewise opens into the chambers 60 and 62 through ports 176 and 178, respectively, beneath the pistons. Pistons 64 and 66 are provided with suitable sealing means such as O-rings and 182, respectively, forming uid tight seals between the pistons and the operating cylinder.

There are also ports 184 and 185 in the inner pipe or mandrel 80, above and beneath the connector 100, respectively which lead from the interior of the pipe to the interior of the stern surrounding the same, and suitable packing such as the O-ring 186 is disposed on the inner pipe to form a seal between the same and the interior of the stem beneath this port 185.

The slip cage 68 is closed at its upper end by an annular externally threaded plug 188 through which the stern passes, the plug being provided with a sealing ring 190 which forms a seal between the plug and the stern, and beneath the plug there is a piston 192 on the stem which moves with the stem in the slip cage and has a sealing ring 194 forming a seal between the piston and the cage. The plug 188 has a port 196 therethrough which is closed by an upwardly opening check valve 198, and the pisto 192 has a similar port 200 therethrough closed by an upwardly opening checkkvalve202. 'By this arrangement iiuid may pass into and out of the space between the plug 188 and the piston '192 so that there willV be no unnecessary restraint upon the movement of the parts in operation of the tool.`

The sleeve member 5.81, whose upper enlarged end portion 56 closes the lower end of the operating cylinder 44, extends downwardly into the lower slip cage 70 and carries at its lower end anexternal ring 204 which is slideable in the lower slip cage and has a sealing element 206 forming a seal between the ring andthe cage. The ring 204 also has a port 208 therethrough which is closed an upwardly opening check valve 210. The upper end of the slip cage 70 is closed by an internal ring 212, through which the sleeve 58 passes, and whichhasa sealing element 214 forming a seal between the ring and the sleeve. The ring 212 also has a port 216 therethrough which is closed by an upwardly opening check valVe'2-18, so the fluid may flow into and out of the space between the rings 204V and 2,12, as these parts approach or recede from each other. A sealing element 220 is provided within the enlarged portion 56 of the sleeve 58, which forms a seal between the sleeve and the stem 36. Similar sealing means 222 and 224 is disposed within the connector member 50 forming a seal between the same and the stem 36, and a sealing element 226 is also provided within the lower end portion 52 of the slip actuator 54 to form a seal between the actuator and the stem 36.

Section 24 of the barrel` 10 has a pressure relief port 25 therein leading from the exterior of the barrel into the chamber 12k beneath the piston 18 therein through which well fluid may ilow into and out of the chamber.

I n making use of the tool the parts are arranged in the relative positions illustrated in Figure l, wherein the inner pipe 80 is in its uppermost position and the pistons 16 and 18 of the pressure barrel 10 are in their uppermost positions in the chambers 12 and 14, The pistons 64 and 66 are also in their uppermost positions in the chambers 60 and 62 of the operating cylinder 44, the slip actuator 54 being in its lowermost position and the slip actuator 76 in its uppermost position, so that the slips '74. are retracted. Suitable cutting mechanism of conventionalconstruction, not shown, is connected to the actuator member 76 below the lower slip cage 70, to be rotated with the operating string when the tool is in the condition illustrated in Figure l, whereby the tubing in the well may be severed at any desired location tocut olf an upper section 228 of the tubing from the lower portion of the same, indicated at 230, which remains in the well.

The tool in the condition seen in Figure 1 is then lowered intothe well bore to the desired location and the section of tubing 228 cut off from the ,well tubing by rotation of the operating string. During the cutting operation theexternal lugs or teeth 90 of the member 82, at the upper end of the inner pipe 80, are in mesh with the internal grooves 88 in the section 20 of the barrel 10, so that the barrel and the stem 36 will be rotated with the string, thus rotating the cutting mechanism.

Upon lowering the tool in the well bore, in the condition seen in Figure 1, iluid in the well may flow upwardly through the inner pipe, through port 164 into passageway 140 and thence through ports 176 and 178 into the chambers 60 and 62 beneath the pistons 64 and 66. Fluid from the inner pipe also llows through port 168 into. passageway 16,6, out through port 170 into passageway 138 and from passageway 138 into internal recess 142 and thence through port 184 into the inner pipe above the connector plug 100. Fluid then flows from the inner pipe through port 106 into passageway 96 from whence it flows into chember 12 above piston 16, and through port 102 into chamber 14 above the piston 18, and through port 104 back into the inner pipe and upwardly through the' operating string. From port IJG'uid also flows downwardly through passageway 138 and through ports 172 and 174 into the chambers 60 and 62, respectively, above the pistons 64 and 66. It will thus be yseen that withthe tool in the condition illustrated in Figure l, fluid may tlow upwardlyvor downwardly through the operating string and through the tool into or out of the well beneaththe tool. Also in this position of the tool iluidmay` ow from the inner pipe into the chamber A14 beneath the piston 18 through either of the ports 128 and 136, and uidmay also enter the chamber 12, from the exterior of the section 24 through` the port 25 beneath, the piston 16. Y

After the section 228 has been cut oi, the cutting implement is released by suitable rotation of the string and the stringI is moved vertically until the slips of the upper slip cage 68 are within the section 228, and the slips of thelo'wer slip cage 70 are within the casing 230 beneath. By suitable rotation of the string, the cutting tool is then reengaged with thevcasing which serves to anchor the tool `against downward movement in the casing to permit the inner pipe to be loweredl in the tool to the position yshown lin Figure 2.

`Fluid from above isA then pumped down through the operating string under suitableA pressure and can ow only out the port104 from the inner pipe into the chambers 12 and147above the pistons 16 and 18, thus applying pressurevto the liuidl in chamber 14 beneath the piston 18.' During vsuch application of pressure the uid in chamber 12 beneathfpiston 16 may escape through port 25, so thatthepressure applied Vto the pistons 16 and 18fis all eiectivefto increase the pressure ofl the tluid in chamber 14"v beneathgpiston 18.

The iluid beneath piston 18 in chamber 14 then ows out'I through phort1'28 into the inner pipe and out through port 184 into passageway138, fromI which it enters the chambers 60` and 62 through ports 172 and 174, to exert arrupward force on the connector member 50 and slip actuatorS-/t and adownward force on the pistons 64 and 66. Thepistons 64and 66 are., however, connected to the fstem 36,- which is in turn connected to the string of tubing 84- through the intermediation of pressure barrel 10, and connector member 82, whereby the pistons 64 andy 66 are held' againsedownward movement, so that slip actuator 5,4 and connector 50 will be moved upwardly together with the operating cylinder'44, to move the upper slips 74' outwardly intoengagement with the section 228 to anchor the operating` cylinder to this section." The operating cylinder 44 isconnected at its lower endrtothe enlarged upper, endl portion 56 of sleeve 58, sothat the sleeyemovesupwardly with the operating cylinder, carrying with4 it, the ring 204, in the slip cage 70 tolapply pressure to the fluidwithin the slip cage 70 between the rings 2041and'212, whereby the slip cage is Caused-,to move upwardly with the operating cylinder to move the lower slips 74`upwardly on the actuator 76 to Set the lower slips 7 4 to anchor the a-ctuator 76V and the Stem 36 to the casing 230. Thereafter relative longitudinal movement takes place, under the further inuence of the pressure of thez uid, between the operating cylinder andthe pistons '64, and 66` to move they section 228 upwardlyA away from the casing 230.

To release the tool afterthe above described pulling operation, the inner p ipeis raised by an upward pull on the operating (string, which engages the abutment with the piston 18 and thereafter raises the pistons 16 and 18 to their uppermost positions in the chambers 12` and 14. During such return movement of the pistons 16 and '18 the iluidaboveithe pistons mayowI back through the ports 162 and` 104" into the inner pipe. Also fluid may enter the chamber 12 through port 25 beneath piston 16, and may ilow into chamber 14 beneath piston 18 through port 128, thus refilling the chambers beneath the pistons. The inner pipe at the end of the return movement of pistons 16 and 18 is in the position shown in Figure 1,

' 7 but the operating cylinder and the pistons 64 and 66 remain in the positions to which they were previously moved to engage the slips with the section 228 and casing 230.

The inner pipe may then be lowered to the position illustrated in Figure 3, and upon the application of iluid under pressure through the operating string from above, the uid iiows from the inner pipe into the chambers 12 and 14 through ports 102 and 104 above the pistons, thus again moving the pistons down and applying pressure to the fluid beneath the piston 18. The uid from the chamber 14 beneath piston 18 then flows through port 128 into the inner pipe and thence out through port 184 and down through passageway 140, to enter the chambers 60 and 62 through ports 176 and 178 beneath pistons 64 and 66, causing relative longitudinal movement between the operating cylinder 44 and the pistons in a direction t0 move the slip actuators 54 and 76 to release the slips 74 thus releasing the tool from the section 228 and casing 230.

After the slips have been released the upper slip cage moves downwardly relative to the lower slip cage until the parts come to the positions shown in Figure l, whereupon the above described operations can be repeated to obtain a further pull on -the section 228 to move the same upwardly away from the casing 230.

When desirable or expedient a suitable spear may be attached beneath the cutting tool for operation by the string, and may be engaged with the interior of the section 228 to remove the section with the string.

It will thus be seen that the invention, as described above provides a pulling tool by which the pulling force obtainable by the introduction of uid under pressure through the operating string may be greatly increased, and in which the upward pulling force exerted on a severed section of casing may be augmented by a downward force exerted on the remaining portion of the casing beneath the severed section. l

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with a certain speciiic embodiment of the same, it will be understood that this is intended by way of illustration only, and that numerous changes can be made in the construction and arrangement of the various parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1, In a pulling tool of the character described, a tubular stem, means for connecting the stem to an operating string and through which iiuid may be delivered to the interior of the stem, an operating cylinder surrounding the stem and slidably movable relative thereto, means in said cylinder forming with said stem a plurality of operating lchambers, a plurality of pistons on the stem, one of which is movably disposed in each of said chambers, an upper slip cage around and carried by said stem and a lower slip cage around the stem and carried by said cylinder, casing-engaging slips carried by said slip cages for movement into and out of gripping engagement with a surrounding well casing, upper slip actuating means carried by said cylinder and movable upwardly with the cylinder relative to the upper cage to actuate the slips in said upper cage into gripping engagement with an upper section of said well casing, lower slip actuating means in said lower cage carried by said stem and positioned to be engaged by the slips of said lower cage upon upward movement of the lower cage relative to said stem to actuate the slips in the lower cage into gripping engagement with a lower section of said well casing, said stem having an opening leading from the interior of the stem and in communication with each of said chambers on the same side of the pistons therein.

2. In a pulling tool of the character described, uid pressure mechanism comprising a tubular mandrel, means for connecting one end of the mandrel to a tubular operating string for movement with said string, a pressure barrel surrounding said mandrel and in which the mandrel is slidable, means in said barrel forming with the mandrel and barrel an upper and a lower pressure chamber, a plurality of pistons one of which is movably disposed in each of said chambers, means connecting said pistons to cause the pistons to move in unison, means for admitting iluid under pressure from the interior of the mandrel into each of said chambers above the pistons therein, said barrel having a relief port in communication with said upper chamber beneath the piston therein and with the exterior of the barrel, said mandrel also having an opening in communication with said lower chamber beneath the piston therein, and means closing the mandrel against upward flow of uid from beneath the piston in said lower chamber.

3. A pulling tool comprising, a tubular mandrel, a pressure barrel surrounding the mandrel, means in the barrel forming with said mandrel an upper and a lower chamber, a plurality of pistons one of which is movably disposed in each of said chambers, means connecting said pistons to cause the pistons to move in unison, said mandrel having an opening in communication with each of said chambers above the pistons therein and an opening in communication with the lower chamber beneath the piston therein, said barrel having a relief port in communication with the upper chamber beneath the piston therein and with the exterior of the barrel, means closing the mandrel against upward ow of uid from beneath the piston in said lower chamber, a tubular stem carried by the barrel and into which the mandrel is slidably extended, said mandrel having a port in communication with the interior of said stem, an operating cylinder surrounding said stem and slideable relative thereto, means in said cylinder forming with said stem a plurality of operating chambers, a plurality of pistons on the stern one of which is movably disposed in each of said operating chambers, an upper slip cage around and carried by said stem and a lower slip cage around and carried by said cylinder, casing-engaging slips carried by said cages for movement into and out of gripping engagement with a surrounding well casing, upper slip actuating means carried by the cylinder in said upper cage and engageable with the slips in the upper cage upon relative longitudinal movement between the cylinder and stem to actuate the slips in said upper cage into gripping engagement with an upper section of said well casing, and lower slip actuating means carried by the stem in said lower cage and cngageable with the slips in the lower cage upon such relative longitudinal movement between the cylinder and stern to actuate the slips in the lower cage into gripping engagement with a lower section of said well casing, said stern having an opening leading from the interior of the stem and in communication with each of said chambers on the same side of the pistons therein.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,190,442 Costello Feb. 13, 1940 2,377,249 Lawrence May 29, 1945 2,537,413 Lawrence Jan. 9, 1951 2,595,014 Smith et al. Apr. 29, 1952 

